Jio’s plans to launch a 4G feature phone has been known even before Jio launched its 4G services in the country, with confirmation of such plan coming from many handset makers. When and what price point the phone will be launched was not known though.

TeleAnalysis had last year reported that Jio was in the process of making a 4G feature phone and it could launch the phone at Rs 1500.

People will still need to wait till mid August to get a 4G feature phone, however the good news is that announcement of launch is expected to take place as soon as July 21st and the phone will be available at a terrific price of Rs 500.

The announcement regarding this phone will be made at the Reliance AGM to be held on July 21. It is also expected that Jio will also announce monthly tariff plans of less than Rs 100 for these feature phone users.

An Economic Times report quoting the HSBC research note says that Jio 4G feature phone with VoLTE capability will be subsidised by the operator to achieve Rs 500 price point of the phone. Jio, according to report, has already placed an order of 18-20 million units for the handsets with Chinese vendors such as Zhejiang Techain Electronics Technology Co., Shenzhen CHINO-E Communication Co, Crave and Megaphone.

The phone will be launched under Lyf brand and will start arriving by late July in India and will be launched on 15th August.

TeleAnalysis has been talking to several handset markers in India about their 4G feature phone plans and many vendors like InFocus and Karbonn have confirmed that they are indeed working for such phones, with InFocus confirming plans to launch them in 2017.

We believe that soon after Jio other operators too will launch 4G feature phone and Indian handset makers will also be joining the party sooner than later.